Affordable accommodation, diving, and which activities?
 

My husband and I will be in Costa Rica Oct 15-30th. We are thinking of going to Monte Verde, Arenal, and Flamingo. We've backpacked for two years and are active people in our early 30s who love adventure, ecotourism, diving, snorkeling, culture and maybe a touch of relaxing. We are looking for good but not flashy or expensive.

First, I'm trying to find some reasonable accommodation $50-80 per night but I keep winding up at the big resorts that are over $100. Any suggestions?

Second, a lot of places seem to have ziplines, jungle hikes, white water rafting, etc. I'm wondering which tours we should take where and also, is there a cheaper way to see and do some of the things or are tours the best route?

Third, we are looking at Flamingo/Tamarindo for diving but we'd really like to go to the very best spot in CR. My husband is a professional diver and has logged over 1000 dives. I've got much less but I can usually keep up to him. Any suggestions on the best spot to dive, and the best dive company to use there? Again we are looking for good but not flashy and expensive.

There are many places to stay in your price range. You just haven't found them yet!

For lodging in Monteverde, you can look here: www.monteverdeinfo.com Arco Iris Lodge is popular, Monteverde Backpackers, Pension Santa Elena is very inexpensive and also popular.

For lodging in Arenal: www.arenal.net.

For Flamingo: It's a little tougher but- Hotel Mariner Inn or Hotel Guanacaste Lodge. If you want to be very close to the beach, it will cost more. You could also plan on staying in nearby Brasilito - Hotel Brasilito, just across the street from the beach - and then do day trips to Flamingo.

Another option would be Playa Grande. Flamingo has more "stuff" with several resorts and humongous marina. Look here for more info: www.nicoyapeninsula.com

As for diving -- Costa Rica is not famous for its diving but it is possible, of course, to do a diving trip. Flamingo or Tamarindo will give you more choices for diving but wherever you stay, the staff at your lodging will be able to give you recommendations. You might try Googling something like "dive Guanacaste" and see what comes up. As for prices, I really have no idea. I know for a snorkeling, relaxing type of half-day thing, it's about $65 per person, more or less.

One of the better spots in Costa Rica for Diving is Caño Island which is best accessed from the Osa Peninsula in Southern Pacific CR. You mention that you both are backpackers and like nature, have you considered visiting the Osa Peninsula or Corcovado National Park?

Pura Vida,
Ballardo Diaz
Jungle Guide - Osa, Corcovado, La Amistad & So. CR

Brasilito is a small village close to Flamingo. We stayed at Conchal Hotel, great rates $85 and up, but check on seasonal discounts. Simon, the owner, is a scuba diver. He can give you some excellent tips on scuba packages. It's a 10 minute walk to Playa Conchal, gorgeous beach, 5 minute walk to Playa Brasilito. Several good restaurants in Brasilito.

http://conchalcr.com

Great! Thanks so much for the tips.

www.richcoastdivers.com

www.ocotaldiving.com

www.zunatours.net Tortuga Island

www.jinetesdeosa.com Cano Island

best on the Pacific side...

www.albylodge.com for Cahuita NP and ReefRunners in PV

best for Carib sides...

www.moon.com tonnes of budget londgings in all your areas

Have fun,

www.weather2travel.com CR you are going in the wettest time

poor conditions lots of run off...

For better weather/best diving bump to Jan-Mar if you can

For awsome diving better fall weather consider the Galapagos

M/V Sky Dancer; Eric, Letty & Flamingo; Galapagos Explorer II; Scuba Diving; Customized Galapagos ... Diving Expeditions include accommodations, meals, complete scuba gear, dive boat, and Dive ...

http://www.galapagosxpeditions.com/h...ba-diving.html

You will not regret it amazing...

Also in Brasilito - Hotel Brasilito is cheaper than Hotel Conchal but more basic.

As for qwovadis comment about runoff and water color == scuba diving trips (and snorkeling trips) are offshore and the boat captain will take you beyond any water darkened by runoff.